Houston Texans decide to release Ed Reed

HOUSTON -- Nine-time Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed will be released by the Houston Texans in what has been a disaster of a season.

A person familiar with the decision confirmed the move to The Associated Press on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity because the team had not made it official. Reed tweeted: "Thanks to the Texans! And the City of Htown!"

Reed missed the first two games after hip surgery and was recently relegated to a backup role. On Friday, he expressed his displeasure at not starting. On Sunday, after Houston's seventh straight loss, he publicly criticized the team and said they had been outplayed and outcoached. The 35-year-old Reed was signed to a three-year, $15 million contract in the offseason after he spent his entire 11-year career with Baltimore.